Air bleeding system for hydraulic closed circuits

ABSTRACT

A closed hydraulic system (10) of the type for steering a boat including a hydraulic cylinder (18) having port and starboard sides (20, 22) and a piston (24) within the cylinder (18) moveable therebetween. A steering pump (12) has first and second fluid outlets (14, 16). Port and starboard hydraulic lines (26, 28) interconnect the port and starboard sides (20, 22) to the first and second outlets (14, 16) respectively, for fluid communication therebetween. A closed separator tank (30) separates air from hydraulic fluid. The tank (30) includes port and starboard tank .[.line.]. .Iadd.lines .Iaddend.(32, 34) in fluid communication with the port and starboard hydraualic lines (26, 28) respectively. The tank (30) includes a bleeder valve mechanism for selectively allowing fluid flow in one direction from the port tank line (32) into the separator tank (30) and out the starboard tank line (34) and alternatively in the opposite direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject invention relates to a hydraulic control assembly or apackage for use in a marine steering system. More specifically, theinstant invention relates to a system for removing air from the oil in aclosed circuit hydraulic system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, a marine steering system includes a steering or helm pumpattached to a steering wheel for directing fluid to opposite ends of anactuator cylinder which, in turn, actuates the rudder to effect steeringof a boat. The hydraulic system may be a closed circuit where the flowpath of oil or fluid is uninterrupted. The hydraulic fluid flow is in acontinuous, uninterrupted path from the pump to the actuator anddirectly back to the pump. When such a system is initially filled withoil, it is difficult to remove all of the air trapped in the lines,pumps and actuator. This is due to the uninterrupted flow path wherethere is no escape for the trapped air. In an open circuit oil system,the oil returns to a reservoir which is, in turn, connected to the pumpinlet. Unlike the open circuit, closed circuits must be .[.blead.]..Iadd.bled .Iaddend.by some other technique.

Prior art actuators included bleeder fittings wherein oil is.[.upmpted.]. .Iadd.pumped .Iaddend.out through the bleeder fitting inthe actuator or hydraulic cylinder to flush out oil with the trapped airwhile fresh oil is applied to the pump. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,576,192 toWood, issued Apr. 27, 1971 discloses an air bleeding system including avalve added to a circuit to bypass all return flow to a reservoir tankso that air is separated in a manner similar to an open circuit system.The U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,470 to Rump, issued May 22, 1984 and assigned tothe .[.assigness.]. .Iadd.assignee .Iaddend.of the instant.[.invnetion.]. .Iadd.invention .Iaddend.discloses a reservoir andbypass to a tank valve which are mounted remotely from the pump andpressurized to produce a remotely filled and .[.bleed.]. .Iadd.bled.Iaddend.system.

All three of the aforementioned air bleeding systems have drawbacks whenutilized in a marine steering assembly. The method wherein the oil ispumped out through a bleeder fitting requires two people to bleed thesystem. One person is required to turn the helm and the other to controlthe oil flow from the bleed fitting. This method also involves catchingthe oil pumped out of the system, through the bleeder fittings, whichcould be a .[.slopper.]. .Iadd.sloppy .Iaddend.operation. This method isalso not as efficient or as fast as the two other methods whichautomatically remove air. The second and third previously mentionedmethods, however, add components to the hydraulic circuit which inreaseits complexity and cost. The more complex the circuit is, the morereliability is reduced. Also, connecting additional systems such as auto.[.piolots.]. .Iadd.pilots .Iaddend.becomes more difficult. Pressurizedsystems such as disclosed in the Rump patent required the pressure to bemaintained continuously to allow the steering system to function. Thistype of system is, therefore, much more sensitive to leaks thannonpressurized systems. It requires an additional pump to create the airpressure in the reservoir.

Accordingly, the instant invention produces a bleeding system that doesnot require additional valving as a permanent part of the circuit. Itallows bleeding of the system by one person and does not require apermanently pressurized system. The system can be easily attached to thecircuit and, once attached, automatically fills and bleeds the entiresystem. This does not require pumping oil out of the circuit into opencontainers.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to a closed hydraulic system of the typefor steering a boat, the system including a hydraulic cylinder havingport and starboard sides and a piston within the cylinder moveabletherebetween and a steering pump having first and second fluid outlets.Port and starboard hydraulic lines interconnect the port and starboardsides to the first and second outlets, respectively, for fluidcommunication therebetween. The closed separator .[.tanks.]. .Iadd.tank.Iaddend.separates air from hydraulic fluid. The closed separator tankincludes port and starboard tank lines in fluid communication with theport and starboard hydraulic lines respectively. The assembly ischaracterized by bleeder valve means for selectively allowing fluid flowin one direction from the port tank line into the separator tank and outthe starboard tank line and alternately in the opposite direction.

The subject invention further relates to a method of bleeding a closedhydraulic system including the steps of connecting port and starboardtank lines of a closed separator tank to the port and starboardhydrualic lines respectively, leading from the port and starboard sidesof a hydraulic cylinder to the port and starboard sides of a steeringpump through quick disconnect valves, pumping hydraulic fluid in onedirection from the port tank line into the separator tank and out thestarboard tank line to remove air from the fluid, pumping the hydraulicfluid in the opposite direction to remove the remaining air in thesystem, and disconnecting the port and starboard tank lines from thequick disconnect valves.

FIGURES IN THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein.[.;.]. .Iadd.: .Iaddend.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a marine steering systemutilizing the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 3--3 ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the quick disconnect .[.beads.]..Iadd.means .Iaddend.of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A closed hydraulic system of the type for steering a boat is generallyshown at 10 in FIG. 1. The hydraulic system 10 is of the type having ahelm steering pump 12 with first and second fluid outlets 14 and 16respectively.

The system 10 includes an actuating or steering cylinder 18 having portand starboard sides 20, 22 and an actuating piston 24 within thecylinder 18 moveable between the port and starboard sides 20, 22. Thepiston 24 is actuated to move back and forth in the cylinder 18 inresponse to fluid delivered from the steering pump 12.

Port and starboard hydraulic lines 26, 28, interconnect the port andstarboard sides 20,22 of the hydraluic cylinder 18 to the first andsecond outlets 14, 16 of the steering pump 12, respectively, for fluidcommunication therebetween.

Closed separator tank means is generally indicated at 30. The closedseparator tank means 30 separates air from hydraulic fluid. The closedseparator tank means 30 includes port and starboard tank lines 32 and 34in fluid communication with the port and starboard hydraulic lines 26,28, respectively. The assembly 10 is characterized by the closedseparator tank means 30 including bleeder valve means for selectivelyallowing fluid flow in one direction from the port tank line 32 into theseparator tank means 30 and out the starboard tank line 34 andalternatively in the opposite direction. This bidirectional capabilityof the closed separator tank means provides for the assembly to bereleasably connected between the port and starboard hydraulic lines 26,28, as discussed below.

More particularly, the separator tank means 30 includes a tank inletport 36 and a tank outlet port 38. The bleeder valve means includes portbleed check valve means for allowing one-way flow from the port tank.Iadd.line 32 to the tank inlet port 36 and out the tank .Iaddend.outletport 38 to the starboard tank line 34, and starboard bleed check valvemeans for allowing one-way flow from the starboard tank line 34 to thetank inlet port 36 and out the tank outlet port 38 to the port tank line32. As shown in FIG. 3, the port bleed check valve means includes a portair bleed check valve 44 for allowing one-way fluid flow from the porttank line 32 to the tank inlet 36 to trap air in the .[.seaparator.]..Iadd.separator .Iaddend.tank means 30 and a starboard liquid checkvalve 46 for allowing one-way flow of liquid from the separator tankmeans 30 and through the tank outlet 38 to the starboard tank line 34.The starboard check valve means includes a starboard air bleed checkvalve 40 for allowing one-way fluid flow from the starboard tank line 34to the tank inlet 36 to trap air in the separator tank means 30 and aport liquid check valve 42 for allowing one-way flow of liquid from theseparator tank means 30 and through the tank outlet port 38 to the porttank line 32.

Each of the check valves is a plunger member 40, 42, 44, 46 biased bysprings 48, 50, 52, 56 to a closed position. Fluid flow forces theopening of the valve against the spring biased pressure to allow flowthrough the system.

The bleeder valve means includes a passageway 58 in fluid communicationfrom the port tank line 32 to the tank inlet 36 and from the tank inlet36 to the starboard tank line 34 and from the starboard tank line 34 tothe tank outlet 38 and from the tank outlet 38 to the port tank line 32.In other words, the separator tank means includes a single passageway 58in fluid communication between the various inlet and ports. Disposedalong the passageway are the various check valves. The port air checkvalve 44 is mounted within the passageway 58 between the port tank line32 and the tank inlet port 36. The starboard liquid check valve 46 ismounted within the passageway 58 between the tank outlet port 38 and thestarboard tank line 34. The starboard air bleed check valve 40 ismounted within the passageway 58 between the starboard tank line 34 andthe tank inlet port 36 and the port liquid check valve 42 is mountedwithin the passageway 58 between the tank outlet port 38 and the porttank line 32.

The tank inlet port 36 includes flow control valve means for creating arestriction on the inlet side of port 36. The flow control valve meansincludes an adjustment orifice for adjusting the amount of pressure dropthrough the tank inlet port 36. Valve member 60 includes a threadedportion 62 for further inserting or removing a sealing end portion 64which constricts or opens the passageway 58 from either the port orstarboard tank lines 32, 34 to the tank inlet port 36.

The closed separator tank means 30 includes a fluid reservoir 66 forcontaining hydraulic fluid therein. The tank inlet and outlet ports 36,38 are in fluid communication with the reservoir 66. A tube member 68 isconnected to the tank inlet port 36 by a threaded connected 70. The tubemember 68 extends from the tank inlet port 36 into the fluid reservoir66. The separator tank means 30 further includes filter means generallyindicated at 72 disposed over the tank outlet port 38 for filteringresidue from the fluid flowing from the reservoir 66 into the tankoutlet port 38. The filter means 72 includes a substantially cylindricalfilter 74 mounted on a base portion 76. An adapter 78 interconnects thefilter assembly 72 to the fluid outlet port 38.

In the preferred embodiment, the separator tank means includes a baseportion 80 containing the bleeder valve means and the tank inlet andoutlet ports 36,38. The fluid reservoir 66 is contained within a housing82 extending upwardly from the base 80. The housing 82 may include apressure indicator 84 and a fluid inlet 86 for filling fluid into thereservoir 66. A cap member 88 is in sealing engagement with .[.theinlet.]. .Iadd.the inlet .Iaddend.86.

The assembly 10 includes port quick disconnect means generally indicatedat 91 for releasably and sealingly interconnecting the port hydraulicline 26 to the port tank line 32 and starboard quick disconnect means,generally indicated at 93, for releasably and sealingly interconnectingthe starboard hydraulic line 28 to the starboard tank line 34.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the port quickdisconnect means which is illustrative of both the starboard and portquick disconnect means 91,93. Referring to FIG. 4, the quick disconnectmeans 91 includes a first fluid passageway 95 forming an integralportion of the hydraulic lines 26, 28. The quick disconnect means 91includes a second fluid passageawy 90 in fluid communication between thefirst passageway 95 and the port and starboard tank lines 32, 34. Thequick disconnect means 91 further includes a quick disconnect linecoupler 92 containing the second passageway 90 adapted to be connectedto either of the tank lines 32, 34. The quick disconnect means 91, 93further includes quick disconnect valve means 94 for selectivelyallowing fluid flow from the first passageway 95 to the secondpassageway 90. More particularly, the coupler 92 comprises an insertmember 92 which is held against an inside shoulder 96 of a T-shapedfitting 98 which contains the first passageway 95. The adapter 92 isretained by a nut number 100. When torqued down by the nut member 100, apressure proof seal is produced between the insert 92 and the shoulder96. When the nut is backed off, an O-ring 102 acts as a spring to liftthe insert 92 off the shoulder 96 and allow fluid flow through hole 104and out the first passageway 90. O-ring 106 prevents oil leakage.

In operation, the port and starboard tank lines 32,34 are attached tothe bleeder fittings 91, 93 which are mounted in the main hydrauliclines 26, 28 on either side of the actuating cylinder 18. If the fluidflow direction is in through port tank line 32, the flow will open checkvalve 44 and pass the fluid flow control 60 into tank inlet port 36.Both check valves 42 and 40 will prevent flow from taking an alternatepath. Flow entering tank inlet port 36 will continue up the tube member68 and into the reservoir 66. Oil in the bottom of the tank 30 will be.[.foreced.]. .Iadd.forced .Iaddend.through the filter 74 and out thetank outlet port 38. As the base 76 raises the filter 74 above the base80, residue will settle below the support 76 on the base 80. The outletthrough the adapter 78 is then raised above the level of the residue onthe base 80. The flow of fluid will then continue out through the valve46 into the opposite starboard tank line 34. Flow cannot pass backthrough check valve 42 since it is held shut by the inlet pressure whichis always slightly higher than the outlet pressure.

The flow control valve 60 is used to control the pressure drop acrossthe orifice created at its tapered end 64. This pressure drop occurs onthe inlet side and therefore does not tend to increase tank pressure.Flow in the .[.oppsoite.]. .Iadd.opposite .Iaddend.direction will alsobe directed into tank inlet port 36 and out through tank outlet port 38.

The housing 82 can be shaped in various ways and can contain baffles orscreen which aid in separating the air from the fluid. The pressuregauge 84 is provided for checking the tank pressure.

To fill and bleed the system, a header is used which can be any oilcontainer which has a top vent and a bottom outlet. A hose is attachedfrom the header tank outlet to the top vent hole of the uppermost helm.[.pup.]. .Iadd.pump .Iaddend.by an appropriately tight leak tightfitting. The header and separator tank means 30 are filled with fluidand then attached to the circuit. With the bleeder fittings 91, 93 open,oil is pumped around the circuit from each pump, first in one directionand then in the other. Since the separator tank means 30 is connectedacross the cylinder 18, fluid can be continually pumped around thecircuit even after the .[.pistin.]. .Iadd.piston .Iaddend.24 reaches itslimit of movement within the cylinder 18. As fluid flows through theseparator tank means 30, the air is removed. Once all air has beenremoved for one pumping direction, the only remaining air will be in thecylinder 18. Reversal of the pumping direction moves the piston 24 toits other limit forcing the trapped air back into the circuit to beremoved as it is pumped through the separator tank means 30 as itcompletes a turn through the circuit. Flow control 60 can be adjusted toprovide sufficient pressure drop to assure that the piston 24 is forcedall the way to its limit in either direction. The separator tank means30 is a closed tank with enough oil volume to replace all trapped air inthe circuit.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims whereinreference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in anyway limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A closed hydraulic system (10) of the type forsteering a boat, said system comprising: a hydraulic cylinder (18)having port and starboard sides (20,22) and a piston (24) within saidcylinder (18) movable therebetween; a steering pump (12) having firstand second fluid outlets (14,16) port and starboard hydraulic lines(26,28) interconnecting said port and starboard sides (20,22) to saidfirst and second outlets (14,16) respectively, for fluid communicationtherebetween; closed separator tank means (30) for separating air fromhydraulic fluid within said closed separator tank means (30), saidclosed separator tank means (30) including port and starboard tank lines(32,34) in fluid communication with said port and starboard hydrauliclines (26,28) and said first and second fluid outlets (14,16)respectively, to define a closed hydraulic circuit and characterized bysaid closed separator tank means (30) including bleed valve means forselectively allowing fluid flow from said port tank line (32) into andthrough said separator tank means (30) in one direction and out saidstarboard tank line(34) and alternatively in the opposite direction. 2.A system as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said separatortank means (30) including a tank inlet port (36) and a tank outlet port(38), said bleed valve means including port bleed .Iadd.check.Iaddend.valve means for allowing one-way flow from said port tank line(32) to said tank inlet port (36) and out said tank outlet port (38) tosaid starboard tank line (34) and starboard bleed check .[.vavle.]..Iadd.valve .Iaddend. means for allowing one-way flow from saidstardboard tank line (34) to said tank inlet port (36) and out said tankoutlet port (38) to said port tank line (32).
 3. A system as set forth.[.inclaim.]. .Iadd.in claim .Iaddend.2 further characterized by saidport bleed check valve means including a port air bleed check valve (44)for allowing one-way fluid flow from said port tank line (32) to saidtank inlet (36) to trap air in said separator tank means (30) and astarboard liquid check valve (46) for allowing one-way flow of liquidfrom said separator tank means (30) and through said tank outlet (38) tosaid starboard tank line (34), and by said starboard check valve meansincluding a starboard air bleed check valve (40) for allowing one-wayfluid flow from said starboard tank line (34) to said tank inlet (36) totrap air in said separator tank means (30) and a port liquid check valve(42) for allowing one-way flow of liquid from said separator tank means(30) and through said tank outlet port (38) to said port tank line (32).4. A system as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said bleedvalve means including a passageway (58) in fluid communication from saidport tank line to said tank inlet (36) and from said tank line (36) tosaid starboard tank line (34) and from said starboard tank line (34) tosaid tank outlet (38) and from said tank outlet (38) to said port tankline (32), said port air bleed check valve (44) being mounted withinsaid passageway (58) between said port tank line (32) and said tankinlet port (36), said starboard liquid check valve (46) being mountedwithin said passageway (58) between said tank outlet port (38) and saidstarboard tank line (34), said starboard air bleed check valve (40)being mounted within said passageway (58) between said starboard tankline (34) and said tank inlet port (36), and said port liquid checkvalve (42) being mounted within said passageway (58) between said tankoutlet port (38) and said port tank line (32).
 5. A system as set forthin claim 4 further characterized by said tank inlet port (36) includingflow control valve means for controlling the movement of fluid flow intosaid tank inlet port (36).
 6. A system as set forth in claim 5 furthercharacterized by said flow control valve means including an adjustmentorifice for adjusting the pressure drop in the flow through said tankinlet port (36).
 7. A system as set forth in claim 1 furthercharacterized by including port quick disconnect means (91) forreleasably and sealingly interconnecting said port hydraulic line (26)to said port tank line (32) and starboard quick disconnect means (93)for releasably and sealingly interconnecting said starboard hydraulicline (28) to said starboard tank line (34).
 8. A system as set forth inclaim 7 further characterized by said port and starboard quickdisconnect means (91, 93) including a first fluid passageway (95)forming an integral portion of said port and starboard hydraulic lines(26, 28) respectively, and a second fluid passageway (90) in fluidcommunication between said first passageway (95) and said port andstarboard tank lines (32, 34) respectively, a quick disconnect linecoupler (92) containing said second passageway (90), said port andstarboard tank lines (32, 34) being releasably and sealingly connectedto said coupler (92).
 9. A system as set forth in claim 8 furthercharacterized by said port and starboard quick disconnect means (91, 93)including quick disconnect valve means (94) for selectively allowingfluid flow from said first passageway (95) to said second passageway(90).
 10. A system as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by saidclosed separator tank means (30) including a fluid reservoir (66), saidtank inlet and outlet port (36, 38) being in fluid communicationtherewith.
 11. A system as set forth in claim 10 further characterizedby said closed separator tank means (30) including a tube member (68)extending from said tank inlet port (36) into said fluid reservoir (66).12. A system as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by includinga base (80) containing said bleeder valve means and said tank inlet andoutlet port (36, 38), said fluid reservoir (66) including a housing (82)extending upwardly from said base (80).
 13. A system as set forth inclaim 10 further characterized by including filter means disposed oversaid tank outlet port (38) for filtering residue from the fluid flowingfrom said reservoir (66) into said tank outlet port (38).
 14. A systemas set forth in claim .[.12.]. .Iadd.13 .Iaddend.further characterizedby including filter support means (76) connected to said tank outletport (38) for supporting said filter means (82) and raising said filtermeans (72) from said base (80).
 15. A hydraulic fluid bleeder assemblycomprising; a separator tank means (30) for separating air fromhydraulic fluid within said separator tank means (30), said separatortank means (30) including port and starboard tank lines (32,34) andcharacterized by including bleeder valve means for allowing fluid flowfrom said port tank line (32) into and through said separator tank means(30) in one direction and out said .[.starboad.]. .Iadd.starboard.Iaddend.tank line .[.(32).]. .Iadd.(34) .Iaddend.and alternately in theopposite direction, said separator tank means (30) including a tankinlet port (36) and a tank outlet port (38), said bleed valve meansincluding port bleed check valve means for allowing one-way flow fromsaid port tank line (32) to said tank inlet port (36) and out said tankoutlet port (38) to said starboard tank line (34), and starboard bleedcheck valve means for allowing one-way flow from said starboard tankline (34) to said tank inlet port (36) and out said tank outlet port(38) to said port tank line (32).
 16. A system as set forth in claim 15further characterized by said port bleed check valve means including aport air bleed check valve (44) for allowing one-way fluid flow fromsaid port tank line (32) to said tank inlet (36) to trap air in saidseparator tank means (30) and a starboard liquid check valve (46) forallowing one-way flow of liquid from said separator tank means (30) andthrough said tank outlet (38) to said starboard tank line (34), and bysaid starboard check valve means including a starboard air bleed checkvalve (40) for allowing one-way fluid flow from said starboard tank line(34) to said tank inlet (36) to trap air in said separator tank means(30) and a port liquid check valve (42) for allowing one-way flow ofliquid from said separator tank .[.mans.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.(30) andthrough said tank outlet port (38) to said port tank line (32).
 17. Asystem as set forth in claim 16 further characterized by said bleedvalve means including a passageway (58) in fluid communication from saidport tank line to said tank inlet (36) and from said tank inlet (36) tosaid starboard tank line .[.(38).]. .Iadd.(34) .Iaddend.and from saidstarboard tank line (34) to said tank outlet (38) and from said tankoutlet (38) to said port tank line (32), said port air bleed check valve(44) being mounted within said passageway (58) between said port tankline (32) and said tank inlet port (36), said starboard liquid checkvalve (46) being mounted within said passageway (58) between said tankoutlet port (38) and said starboard tank line (34), said starboard airbleed check valve (40) being mounted within said passageway (58) betweensaid starboard tank line (34) and said tank inlet port (36), and saidport liquid check valve (42) being mounted within said passageway (58)between said tank outlet port (38) and said port tank line (32).
 18. Asystem as set forth in claim 17 further characterized by said tank inletport (36) including flow control valve means for controlling themovement of fluid flow into said tank inlet port (36).
 19. A system asset forth in claim 18 further characterized by said flow control valvemeans including an adjustment orifice for adjusting the pressure drop inthe flow through said tank inlet port (36).
 20. A system as set forth inclaim 15 further characterized by said .[.closed.]. separator tank means(30) including a fluid reservoir (66), said tank inlet and outlet port(36, 38) being in fluid communication therewith.
 21. A system as setforth in claim 20 further characterized by said .[.closed.]. separatortank means (30) including a tube member (68) extending from said tankinlet port (36) into said fluid reservoir (66).
 22. A system as setforth in claim 21 further characterized by including filter meansdisposed over said tank outlet port (38) for filtering residue from thefluid flowing from said reservoir (66) into said tank outlet port (38).23. A system as set forth in claim 22 further .[.chracterized.]..Iadd.characterized .Iaddend.by including a base (80) containing said.[.blender.]. .Iadd.bleeder .Iaddend.valve means and said tank inlet andoutlet port (36, 38) said fluid reservoir (66) including a housing (82)extending upwardly from said base (80).
 24. A hydraulic fluid bleederassembly comprising; a separator tank means (30) for separating air fromhydraulic fluid within said separator tank means (30), said separatortank means (30) including port and starboard tank lines (32,34) andcharacterized by including bleeder valve means for allowing fluid flowfrom said port tank line (32) into and through said separator tank means(30) in one direction and out said starboard tank line (32) andalternately in the opposite direction, port quick disconnect means (91)for releasably and sealingly interconnecting said port tank line (32) toa port hydraulic line (26) of a steering assembly (10) and starboardquick disconnect means (93) for releasably and sealingly interconnectingsaid starboard tank line (34) to a starboard hydraulic line (28) of asteering assembly (10).
 25. A system as set forth in claim 24 furthercharacterized by said port and starboard quick disconnect means (91, 93)including a .[.firt.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.fluid passageway (95)forming an integral portion of said port and starboard hydraulic lines(26, 28) respectively, and a second fluid passageway (90) in fluidcommunication between said first passageway (95) and said port andstarboard tank lines (32, 34) respectively, a quick disconnect linecoupler (92) containing said second passageway (90), said port andstarboard tank lines (32, 34) being releasably and sealingly connectedto said coupler (92).
 26. A system as set forth in claim 25 furthercharacterized by said port and starboard quick disconnect means (91, 93)including quick disconnect valve means (94) for selectively allowingfluid flow from said first passageway (95) to said second passageway(90).
 27. A method of bleeding a closed hydraulic system (10) of thetype for steering a boat, said method comprising the steps of:connecting port and starboard tank lines (32,34) of a closed separatortank (30) to the port and starboard hydraulic lines (26,28),respectively, leading from the port and starboard sides of a hydrauliccylinder (18) to the port and starboard sides of a steering pump (12)through quick disconnect valves (91,93) to define a closed hydrauliccircuit; pumping hydraulic fluid from the port tank line (32) into andthrough the separator tank (30) in one direction and out the starboardtank line (34) to remove air from the hydraulic fluid within the closedseparator tank (30); pumping the hydraulic fluid in the oppositedirection to remove the remaining air from the system (10); anddisconnecting the port and starboard tank lines (32,34) from the quickdisconnect valves (91,93). .Iadd.28. A hydraulic system (10) of the typefor steering a boat and for connection to a bleeder connection, saidsystem comprising; a hydraulic cylinder (18) having port and starboardsides (20, 22) and a piston (24) within said cylinder (18) movabletherebetween; a steering pump (12) having first and second fluid outlets(14, 16), port and starboard hydraulic lines (26, 28) interconnectingsaid port and starboard sides (20, 22) to said first and second outlets(14, 16) respectively, for fluid communication therebetween; and portquick disconnect means (91) for releasably and sealingly interconnectingsaid port hydraulic line (26) to a bleeder, and starboard quickdisconnect means (93) for releasably and sealingly interconnecting saidstarboard hydraulic line (28) to the bleeder connection..Iaddend..Iadd.29. A system as set forth in claim 28 further characterized bysaid port and starboard quick disconnect means (91, 93) including afirst passageway (95) forming an integral portion of said port andstarboard hydraulic lines (26, 28) respectively, and a second fluidpassageway (90) in fluid communication between said first passageway(95) and said port and starboard tank lines (32, 34) respectively, aquick disconnect line coupler (92) containing said second passageway(90), for releasable and sealing connection of the bleeder to saidcoupler (92)..Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A system as set forth in claim 29further characterized by said port and starboard quick disconnect means(91, 93) including quick disconnect valve means (94) for selectivelyallowing fluid flow from said first passageway (95) to said secondpassageway (90)..Iaddend.